Keene, CA frost dates
Last spring frostApr 28median date
First fall frostOct 26median date
Growing season181 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Keene compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Keene falls between April 11 and May 21, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 4 and November 17.
- The median last frost is 28 days later than the California median of Mar 31.
- Its 181-day growing season is longer than 25% of the 636 California places with a regular frost season (state median 235 days).
- The last frost is 56 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 82 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Bakersfield, CA, 36 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 4 |
| 50% (median) | October 26 |
| 90% (late) | November 17 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Keene, CA
Keene, CA frost dates — last frost Apr 28, first frost Oct 26, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 20 to Aug 10
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 19 to Jun 2Sow outdoors: May 19 to Jun 2
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to May 5Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 31 to Apr 7Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 17
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 26Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Transplant outside: May 12 to Jun 2
Plant for fall: Oct 12 to Nov 16
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Keene, CA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Mar 31 – May 5 | Aug 31 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Broccoli | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | Jul 20 – Aug 10 |
| Okra | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 19 – Jun 2 | May 19 – Jun 2 | — |
| Basil | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 24 – May 5 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 31 – Apr 7 | May 12 – May 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 3 – Aug 17 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 14 – May 12 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 5 – May 26 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 12 – Jun 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 12 – Nov 16 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Tehachapi 4 Se, CA weather station, 23 km away (elevation 4,219 ft (1,286 m)).
Frost dates near Keene
- Tehachapi Apr 28 · Oct 26
- Caliente Apr 22 · Nov 13
- Arvin Jan 31 · Dec 8
- Edison Jan 31 · Dec 8
- Lamont Jan 31 · Dec 8
- Bakersfield Jan 31 · Dec 8
- Bodfish Apr 5 · Nov 3
- Mojave Mar 15 · Nov 17
- Lebec Apr 15 · Nov 26
- Rosamond Apr 3 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Keene, CA?
The median last spring frost in Keene, CA is April 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Keene, CA?
The median first fall frost is October 26, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 4.
How long is the growing season in Keene, CA?
About 181 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Keene, CA?
Keene, CA is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.